Level 1

6 points

MacBook Pro constantly losing wireless connectivity

Hi folks,

Well, I read a ton of posts regarding MacBook Pro wireless networking issues before buying a wireless router last month, and now it's "me too."

Our iBook has no problems whatsoever with dropped connections, but the MBP loses access every few minutes or so. I usually follow a sequence of "Turn AirPort Off"/"Turn Airport On" to cycle the connection, and sometimes this works. It's an almost constant problem. This is a standard configuration MBP.

The router happens to be a D-Link DIR-615, but I've seen enough posts about problems with the Airport Express and MacBook Pros to know it's not the router that's the problem--it's the MacBook Pro (I notice a few similar posts even on the first page of this forum).

Dear Apple: what are you doing about this issue?

Has anyone else somehow resolved this problem? If there was only a couple of posts about this issue, then it might be written off as problems with a specific router, or specific users. But when there's a ton of messages all complaining about the same problem, then it's more likely a significant defect that needs to be fixed by the manufacturer, and won't be fixed by standard troubleshooting procedures of the mundane kind (Tech Support Theater: "Is your router turned on?").

Dear Apple: where are you?

MBP, Mac OS X (10.4.11), non

Posted on Jan 20, 2008 8:45 AM

2,055 replies

calebk

Level 1

0 points

Mar 25, 2008 7:14 PM in response to ffredburger

Food for thought:

Why do we have to be forced for workarounds? If our machine is faulty, shouldn't Apple be the one to do something about it?

It just proves that Apple is sitting and letting us figure it out, something no manufacturer should be doing if it truly cares for its customer-base.

):

fwtong

Level 1

0 points

Mar 25, 2008 10:25 PM in response to calebk

Here's another potential solution. I was listening to the Maccast today, and a listener sent in a solution which solved his issues. He downloaded a program to see what the channels the other routers were using and switched to one that not many people were using. Adam (of the Maccast) said that it's a good idea to try and be 5 channels away from what other people are using.

Check out the shownotes here:
http://www.maccast.com/podcast/shownotes_20080323/

Good luck!

Mar 26, 2008 9:35 AM in response to egalsim

It's been over 24 hours and so far so good. No loss of connectivity to my ABS "g" so far. It seems that your workaround is working. Thanks for the tip. NO thanks for Apple for screwing this up.

egalsim

Level 1

0 points

Mar 26, 2008 11:38 AM in response to SuperSizeIt

I'm glad it's been working for you, but it is by no means a real solution. I really hope that Apple figures out this problem quickly and releases the proper patches. This clearly seems to be a software issue.

Mar 26, 2008 12:14 PM in response to calebk

I have had this same problem for about three weeks now. I even went so far as to have my ISP come out and do a check. This is ridiculous. I can connect no problem anywhere else but at home. My trusty G4 Quicksilver is just fine. My brand new one month old MBP is not. I just started trolling the boards today to see if there were other people with the same problem and sure enough...I will try some of the suggestion put up here when I get home, but this is just not cool at all.

4Runner

Level 1

70 points

Mar 26, 2008 4:45 PM in response to calebk

I don't see it like that. There are too many of us without issue so this is not as black/white as you make it sound. Lots of variables. If everyone was seeing this issue and Apple was non-responsive I would agree. This not, however, not the case. Still, it is disappointing to say the least. Kind of brings me down to reality that Mac is susceptible to the common technology issues as Windows. I was in your shoes for a couple of weeks and somehow mine is now corrected so I do feel your pain. Wish I could help!

Mar 27, 2008 3:24 PM in response to SuperSizeIt

I'm not as technically aware as many of you. Could someone kindly explain how to set the router ("g"?) to "not broadcst SSID". Many thanks in advance.

havtan

Level 1

0 points

Mar 27, 2008 4:22 PM in response to ffredburger

I've had enough dealing with that problem(macbook 10.5.2).
I gave up!

I'm starting to think apple wants us to buy their new AEBS.... so this is why it's not their TOP priority!!
Well, I won't.

Apple WAKE UP!!

egalsim

Level 1

0 points

Mar 27, 2008 5:13 PM in response to ffredburger

OK everyone, in my quest to find a better work around, I re installed my Leopard installation, then installed the 10.5.2 update and also installed this support driver meant for Time Machine, but also contains new drivers for our Airport cards. Here is the link:

http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/timemachineandairportupdatesv10.html

So far, I have had some success, although the network does still cut out at times, and I am now able to broadcast my SSID. Good Luck everyone!

Message was edited by: egalsim

PS, I would suggest everyone try the time machine update link first before re installing Leopard. The time machine airport driver is only 10.4MB and is probably the fastest thing to try.

Mar 27, 2008 11:44 PM in response to Pippilotte

Are you using an Airport Base Station? If so its really easy. Open up Airport Utility located in your Utilities folder which is in the Applications folder of your Hard Drive.

I have 5.3.1 for the Snow ABS. Once log in, click "Wireless" from your menu buttons.

Click "Wireless Options"

Check the box "Create a closed network"

The will stop your ABS from broadcasting your SSID.

Mar 28, 2008 5:17 AM in response to ffredburger

ok ladies & gents, add me to the raw of the WI-FI puzzle, now even my book has the latest up dates, 10.5.2, it's loosing it's connectivity every 1-2 min, did that TC update, but still the same, i think i have to dump the wireless technology till AAAAAPPPPLLLEEEEE finds a solution for my dam 4000$ machine!! yes i paid 4 dam thousand dollars for this thing!! wireless keyboard ans mighty mouse as well, full bundle of original software, ILIFE, IWORK and LEOPARD as well, now let me tell you what i have, i have an EDIMAX W router with 2mb ADSL speed, windows based machines, NO PROBLEM what so ever here, but my 4K$ machine, have all problems that make me a hair close to just dump it right into the trash pin!!, i called apple care here put they seemed far away from even knowing that there is a problem !! i told her (lady) please open www.apple.com, go to support link then click discussion link, down to MBP has a constant drop down in its wireless thing!! people !! these guys don even know that we are suffering here !! for the time been, i might go back 5 years back to the wire era and use LAN cables to access internet. Thanks for your time.

Mar 28, 2008 6:40 AM in response to Merged Content 1

Think the tremendous heat generated by the MBP has cooked something on the motherboard or the AP card? The heat is so intense that you can't even put the 'laptop' on your lap for fear of harm to your body. AppleCare already replaced my motherboard once. Only a thought that occurred during my long morning shower 😉

Mar 28, 2008 10:52 AM in response to SlippySlope

Hi all. I spent the better part of Wednesday looking at boards for a solution or at least some solace in finding some company with the same problem as me. I was glad to find a few people at first then the list of people with the same setup and problems kept on growing and growing. There are a few peers on this board with some solutions which I tried when I got home(Pram, battery pop out, change security settings etc.) I ended up screwing my network up even more by changing some settings in my Airport utility as my beloved G4 would'nt connect. Thursday I resolved to call Apple and surprisingly only waited about 15 minutes on hold. I decided while I was waiting to just CHANGE THE CHANNEL on my Airport through the Airport Utility.
Bling!! My internet connection which has not seen the light of day for about three weeks on my month old MacBook Pro popped on. I reset my trusty G4 back to the original security settings and it too gave me my connection back. I don't know if this helps everyone as I hate seeing all this woe about our machines. I just wanted to add a somewhat happy story to this thread. I still beleive we should'nt have to go through all this crap with such a "professional notebook". Get it together Apple.

mcpccea

Level 1

9 points

Mar 28, 2008 12:29 PM in response to ffredburger

I am having some of the issues that others are having.

I am having a different problem though. I can't connect to a lot of b/g networks but can cannot connect to N networks. I have done all the reset the PRAM stuff as mentioned with repairing permissions but no luck.

It is definitely something with 10.5.2. I reloaded with clean OS back to 10.5 and could connect to B/G networks fine. Once I loaded 10.5.2 update and NOTHING else I dropped connection to the B/G networks.

I used a clean 10.5 OS and used Migration assistant to move over my profile. I guess I will have to wait for some fix.

egalsim

Level 1

0 points

Mar 28, 2008 12:33 PM in response to mcpccea

Clear your wireless network list, and then reinstall this update by itself:

http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/timemachineandairportupdatesv10.html

IF it works, let us know.

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MacBook Pro constantly losing wireless connectivity